AACGE Biomineralization Symposium; Big Sky Resort, Montana; July 10 - 15, 2005

本次研讨会将涵盖一系列材料的溶液诱导结晶的各个方面，包括蛋白质、有机物和无机矿物。新的表征工具(如扫描探针显微镜和高强度同步加速器源)和来自这些不同晶体生长社区的各种方法使在纳米尺度上分析结晶反应成为可能。生物体系中的晶体自组装过程受到一系列因素的影响，包括分区化、相变以及可溶性过程引导剂和/或不可溶模板的存在。生物结晶研究传统上关注成核和生长，但最近的证据表明，前体相也可能在生物矿化中发挥核心作用。体外仿生模型的发展令人感兴趣，因为它们提供了关于结晶机制的有价值的信息，这些机制可以与生物系统中发现的体外特征相关联。仿生方法对于创造晶体材料的定向图案化阵列和创造具有独特材料性能的复合材料也是有用的。这些和其他优先领域将在这次会议上讨论。更广泛的影响包括让与会者有机会与在生物材料领域有共同利益的其他科学家建立合作关系。它将为早期职业教师、博士后学者和研究生提供与来自其他大学、政府实验室和行业的同事进行跨学科讨论的机会。

This symposium will cover various aspects of the solution-mediated crystallization of a range of materials including proteins, organics, and inorganic minerals. New characterization tools (e.g. scanning probe microscopies and high intensity synchrotron sources) and a variety of approaches from these different crystal growth communities are enabling the analysis of crystallization reactions at the nanoscopic scale. The crystalline self-assembly processes in biological systems is influenced by a broad range of factors including compartmentalization, phase transformation, and the presence of soluble process-directing agents and/or insoluble templates. Biocrystallization studies have traditionally been concerned with nucleation and growth, but recent evidence suggests that precursor phases may play a central role in biomineralization as well. The development of biomimetic in vitro models is of interest because they provide valuable information on crystallization mechanisms that can be correlated with ex vivo features found in biological systems. Biomimetic approaches are also useful for creating oriented patterned arrays of crystalline materials and for creating composite materials with unique materials properties. These and other priority areas will be discussed at this conference.The broader impacts include opportunities for the participants to foster collaborative relationships with other scientists where there are mutual interests in biomaterials areas. It will give early career faculty, post doctoral scholars, and graduate students an opportunity to engage in cross-disciplinary discussions with colleagues from other universities, government laboratories and industry.